The arrest of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) leader Prophet Walter Magaya on rape charges last week has been received with mixed reactions by his followers and ordinary Zimbabweans.

When Studio 7 visited the PHD Ministries premises in Harare’s Waterfalls high density suburb, there were a handful of followers who were praying in a fenced area that is commonly known by the church’s congregates as the “Holy Ground”.

However, security personnel at the church barred Studio 7 from interviewing followers inside the church building.

Studio 7 interviewed some of the followers, including one who identified herself as Mildred Chakanyuka.

Chakanyuka, who claimed to be living in Harare’s Budiriro high density suburb, said Magaya has no case to answer.

But Mbare resident Nancy Gonese said the allegations being levelled against the prominent cleric cannot be dismissed as he is exposed to a large number of women.

Another member of the church, Zakariah Chibaya, said Magaya should exonerate himself in court if he is going to remain a member of PHD Ministries.

His sentiments were echoed by PHD Ministries member, who only identified himself as Zindoga. He claimed that Magaya’s problems were politically-motivated.

Chakanyuka said she believes Magaya us a powerful prophet who cannot stoop so low to allegedly rape a women.

Studio 7 failed to get a comment from Magaya who was not answering his mobile phone while his lawyer Everson Chatambudza was said to be in South Africa.

Magaya attracted many followers in Zimbabwe when he announced that prominent Nigerian prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, commonly known as Prophet TB Joshua, is his godfather.

Since then many people, including cabinet ministers and senior government officials, have been worshipping at his church.